Excessive use of water in wheat accompanies fuel consumption and emission of carbon dioxide in environment.
Objectives: The study was conducted with objectives to decrease water use, associated fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission; and to improve the productivity of wheat on sustainable basis using LASER levelling and sowing methods as potent modulator of these adversities.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted at research area of Agronomic Research Station Bahawalpur over three years using split plot experimental design and four replications. Treatments were contained of LASER levelling in main plot viz. L0 = No LASER levelling; L1 = LASER levelling and sowing methods in split plots viz. S1 = broadcast; S2 = ridge sowing and S3 = drill sowing.
Results: Lesser water use, fuel consumption and emission of carbon dioxide were quantified under “LASER levelling” and under “ridge sowing” compared to other treatments. While, more fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield were quantified under “LASER levelling” than “no LASER levelling” and under “ridge sowing” compared to broadcast and drill sowing of wheat.
Wheat production and water conservation
Conclusion: Conclusively, “LASER levelling” and “ridge sowing” effectively decreased the use of water, fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emission and improved the grain yield and yield components of wheat compared to other treatments. Moreover, strong negative associations of water use, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emission with grain yield of wheat were recorded.